Hey! Everyone
March 11, 2008
You can find our main blog over at heynielsen.com/blog/
Is hulu for u?
March 11, 2008
Tomorrow, the video streaming service hulu [discuss] opens its digital doors after a closed beta period during which the site began serving clips and full episodes from NBC Universal (including related networks like USA and Bravo) and News Corp. (FOX, FX, etc.). More shows as well as films are expected shortly from other partners soon including the NHL, NBA, WWE, Lionsgate, Warner Bros, and even the satirical news outlet, The Onion. (more details at MediaWeek)
It’s not quite right to call hulu a YouTube killer since its concept of community and content is much different and much more controlled. Unlike YouTube, you can’t upload video to hulu; the only content featured is that which the studios choose. If anything, the major criticism of hulu has been this selective rationing of content. Yes, popular shows like The Office, House, and Family Guy are featured, but not every episode. In a way, it’s a little like OnDemand programming, where only a handful of episodes are available at a time. There is advertising on hulu, but it’s never longer than a 30-second spot dropped in where regular commercial breaks would be during the broadcast.
As far as interacting with the content or other users, no one would confuse hulu with a social network, but users can create playlists, write reviews, and embed video on their own blog of social network page (see our embed below).
It’s unclear if the sheer quality of content on hulu (the hulu player is arguably a step up from YouTube’s interface) will start to chip away at YouTube’s lead as a video portal. But, the fact that hulu has chosen to provide not only full episodes, but also snack-sized clips indicates they are eager to capture some of that elusive short-attention-span / blogger marketshare. In the past, media bloggers and journalists would use a number of other sites (YouTube, DailyMotion, etc.) to pull in video from certain shows (for example the wildly viral Saturday Night Live Democratic Debate) — now hulu enables the original owner of that content to be part of the embed mix.
Let us know what you think of hulu, or tell us about your favorite video sharing site by commenting below.
March Movies: In Like a Mastodon, Out Like A Superhero
March 5, 2008
With the exception of St. Patrick’s Day and the arrival of spring, March isn’t known for much other than bad weather. Fortunately for you,
we’re here to provide a list of new movies that
promise to excite, entertain, or at least get you out of the rain and into a dry seat. You
can travel back in time to see how Neanderthals really lived, enjoy a family movie, or see that guy from “Shaun of the Dead” run a marathon. Yes, the possibilities are endless in March.
Maybe the Oscars have left you yearning for a touch of
class? Can’t wait three more months for the summer blockbuster season to begin? March offers the well-informed moviegoer a range of options this year, from flicks for the kiddies to independent French films that are a tad racier than Dr. Suess. Whatever you see, you’re bound to have an opinion, so let us know! We’ve provided you with a link to the YouTube trailers of every March movie we’ve listed. So go out and stimulate the economy and catch a movie. While you’re there, don’t forget to fill up on snacks. After all, March also boasts National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day!
Opening This Week:
10,000 B.C., The Accidental Husband, The Bank Job, College Road Trip, The Hammer, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Opening March 14:
Funny Games, Horton Hears a Who, Never Back Down, Pride and Glory, Sleepwalking
Opening March 19:
Inkheart
Opening March 21:
Drillbit Taylor, Shutter, Meet the Browns
Opening March 28:
21, Priceless, Run, Fat Boy, Stop Loss, Superhero Movie
The Celebrity Campaign Apprentice And Prez Blog Buzz
March 3, 2008
You know this Consumer Generated Media thing is getting big when one of the biggest stars on the planet sees the power in viral video. Jack Nicholson (who has played a joker, a devil, and more than a few psychopaths) released a video recently in support of (SNL guest star) Hillary Clinton and her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Around the same time, another celebrity-filled Barack Obama ad hit the digital tube. Check out both below. Email me if you stumble upon a John McCain or Mike Huckabee or Ron Paul celebrity video endorsement and we’ll be glad to add it to the list.
That these videos are turning up right around important primary dates are no surprise. Over the last two months you can see how the blogosphere has given all three major candidates a spike around voting day.
What’s On The Internet Tonight?
February 28, 2008
As more and more networks offer clips and full episodes online of their new shows, the social aspect of web culture is filtering — if not flooding — into TV programming. Take ‘quarterlife,’ an honest-to-blog drama that recently debuted (with less-than-stellar ratings) on NBC (and now moved to Bravo). The show follows the fictional lives of twentysomethings who probably have a lot in common with the real life people tuning into web-based shows by the millions on social networks like MySpace (now with the added power of News Corp and FOX TV) and Bebo, which has seen success with KateModern. Bebo’s web-based hit is one of the net’s first “spinoffs,” bred out of YouTube’s lonelygirl15 phenomenon (For you old-school TV fans, think of it as the Web 2.0 version of ‘Rhoda’ spinning off from ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’). Bebo plans to debut two more shows this year, ‘The Gap Year’ and ‘Sophia’s Diary.’ The Wall Street Journal reports that Bebo is in “buy me” mode, with the likes of CBS’s giant eye taking a close look.
MySpace’s second dip into the webisode pool following ‘Roomates’ is ‘Special Delivery‘, a hidden cam show that tweaks unsuspecting delivery workers (again think of it as the 21st century Candid Camera, aka the original Punk’d). All of these web-based shows offer an snack-sized version (under five minutes in most cases) that appeal to viral growth and short attention spans.
Which do you think has a better chance of catching on — TV shows that feature more web-based content, or a new breed of reality and scripted webisodes? Check out clips below.
NBC’s “quarterlife”
Bebo’s “KateModern”
MySpace’s “Special Delivery”
Foreign Correspondents: Euros Win Big At Oscars
February 25, 2008
Last night’s big awards for the Oscars were a mixture of mortal locks (Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood and Javier Bardem in the evening’s big winner No Country For Old Men) and stunning surprises (Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton, Marion Cotillard in La Vie En Rose, and the unlikely buskers from Once). All of these winners came from outside the US… England, Spain, France, and Ireland — a very rare thing for Oscar (the last time was 1964, back whenthey were still giving out two cinematography awards — one for color and one for black and white). In case you missed what all the pre and post-buzz was about, here are a few clips of Oscar’s newest winners in their best light.
Nielsen Watches The Oscars — From Every Angle
February 22, 2008
Want to show off at your Oscar party? Why not check out The Nielsen Company’s comprehensive press release on the Oscars. You’ll wow your friends with all sorts of insight and info during the night when things get slow (something tells me there’s going to be a really long interpretive dance number about Atonement — that’d be a good time for a fun fact. For example, did you know Johnny Depp gets more blog buzz than Clooney?).
Using information gathered from across The Nielsen Company (including, thanks to our members, predictions from our very own Oscar Contest), we’ve put together a 360 degree look (that’s the angle type of degree, not the heat kind) at everything from box office numbers, to commercials during the awards, to music sales. There’s even a breakdown of who the average watcher of the Oscar watcher is. According to Spectra, a Nielsen marketing service that measures lifestyle behaviors of American consumers, almost 60% of Academy Awards viewers are women. Among this group, most were at least 35 years old, college educated with incomes of at least $75,000 per year, and living in
the New England, Mid-Atlantic, or Pacific regions of the U.S. Don’t feel bad, if you’re like me and only fit into two of those categories, I’m sure it means you’re above average.
Our awesome Oscar Contest closes right before the awards, so vote now to be sure to be eligible for our movie lover’s prize pack!
Ask A Blogger: The Gold Rush Digs Ups Oscar Gold… and Dirt
February 19, 2008
Journalist T.L. Stanley shares insider insights about Hollywood’s biggest night. Check out daily dishes on Oscar and other awards at T.L.’s Hollywood Reporter blog The Gold Rush.
Q: What’s great about Oscar?
We’re sure you’re looking for some kind of overarching statement here on the awards’ mission to honor creativity, artistry, innovation, risk taking and envelope pushing. But we’re going with the outfits, jewelry and coiffures.
Q: With so much saturation of celebrities on tabloid TV shows, blogs, and tabloids in general, does it dilute some of what’s special about the Oscars and the stars?
Thirty million people can’t be wrong — they love them some Oscars. There is no such thing as over-saturation as far as the industry goes. Individually, sure. You hear that, Josh Brolin?
Q: Is there anything about this year’s Oscars that seems different or more exciting to you?
If by that you mean the writers strike and the possibility that there would be no Oscar ceremony — well, we all nearly had daily aneurysms over that little issue for the last couple months. Too bad that’s over!
We’re predicting two upsets on Oscar night: 1) Ruby Dee for best supporting actress, though she doesn’t really deserve it for her miniscule part in the middling movie American Gangster — she should have won for Do the Right Thing (wasn’t even nominated — blasphemy! — but that was My Left Foot’s year, remember?) Academy voters have been known for do-overs, and who doesn’t love the 83-year-old Ruby Dee? 2) Tony Gilroy for best original screenplay [Michael Clayton]. Let the [Juno screenwriter] Diablo Cody backlash continue in earnest! Otherwise, sorry to say, it’s the least interesting contest in a long time. Snooze.
Q: What do you think the nominees and the nominated films say about Hollywood or where it’s going? That is, is Hollywood full of heartless godless liberals, or just plain godless liberals?
It says that populist movies — the ones that your non-industry neighbors or the folks back home pay to see, enjoy mightily and chat up to their friends — have a snowball’s chance at Important Awards. Cash, though, is its own reward. Never fear — it seems like studios will continue to be schizophrenic, making soulless money-minting franchises on one hand and quirky loss leaders on the other.
Q: Name five (or 10) people you’d invite to your Oscar party. Why?
Well, Clooney might be busy, but it’s worth a shot, right? [The late film critic] Pauline Kael, because she’d argue with us all night about Sweeney Todd and probably criticize our food; Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst and all-around fun guy who would eat our bad food and never complain; David Carr, aka the New York Times’ Carpetbagger, because he’s our new BFF; Flight of the Conchords, for obvious reasons — duh! [Producer] Harvey Weinstein, to see his celebration/implosion first-hand; The Rock, for muscle, in case anyone gets unruly (see: Harvey Weinstein); [producer] Carlton Cuse, so we could twist his arm, and we mean that literally, for all the Lost secrets.
Q: What actors/actresses or films to you think were overlooked this year?
Christian Bale and Ben Foster in 3:10 to Yuma — criminally overlooked. Waitress and Once — come on, people! The Simpsons Movie. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead and the entire cast, plus the incomparable Sidney Lumet. Tim Burton, David Cronenberg, Sarah Polley. And, of course, McLovin!
Q: What’s the best promotional item you’ve received this year? Was “There Will Be Blood” really sending people milkshakes? I was hoping for a gallon of Juno-endorsed Sunny D myself.
Thanks for bringing up that sore subject. Some studio that shall not remain nameless (Paramount Vantage) “forgot” to give us our frosty treat. Still bitter.
Actually, Oscar rules are pretty strict on swag. It’s not allowed. Plus, all the money goes to those 17,000 For Your Consideration ads that studios place on every available piece of real estate in L.A. and New York. There’s nothing left for tchotchkes.
That said, here’s a tip: foreign language films in the running for Oscars throw fancy dinner and free-flowing cocktail parties (often hosted by that country’s diplomats at some swank location). The Academy, which would never go for that behavior from a Hollywood studio, somehow pretends not to notice. Word to the wise: get yourself on those lists.
Q: If you produced the Oscar telecast, what would you change or add — you know, to make it longer?
More expressionist dance numbers! 18 instead of 16 songs from Enchanted! More awkward patter between presenters! And way, way more Price Waterhouse!
Q: Stuart Elliott of the NY Times said the Oscars was becoming the next Super Bowl of advertising… if he’s right, what would a great half-time show be?
More advertising, of course. Did we learn nothing at all from that Tom Petty “performance” a few weeks ago?
Q: What are some of your favorite award show moments, either televised or in person?
Christine Lahti with TP on her stiletto (oh, that wasn’t the Oscars). Tom Hanks winning for Philadelphia; Denzel for Training Day; Meryl Streep for Devil Wears Prada; that chick in the dress made out of AmEx cards, Bjork in a dead fowl getup. Call us old school, but we kind of miss Billy Crystal. Don’t get us wrong, we liked seeing Letterman and Chris Rock squirm and flail, but we were non-plussed by Jon Stewart’s first effort. Let’s hope he’ll bring his A-game this year.
Q: Though a musical, Chicago, won best picture in 2002, and a lighthearted Shakespeare In Love won in 1998, no true comedy has won Best Picture since Annie Hall in 1977. Do you think eventually the Oscars will split nominations the way the Golden Globes do between dramas and comedy/musicals?
No splitting categories — won’t happen. Oscar is all about exclusivity, so the fewer awards the better. What do you think this is, the Golden Globes?
Q: Is there a category missing you’d like to see? Best stage mother?
MTV has a lock on a lot of fake categories in over-hyped awards shows (best one-night hook-up, best hair-pulling catfight, et al.) but there’s still ground to till. How about Best Poker Face? Best Awards Season/Red Carpet Cliches? Best Studio Pimp?
Q: Can you get me Brad Pitt’s autograph? It’s for my aunt… um, her nickname is Stevie.
We’ll do what we can from that windowless room in the bowels of the Kodak Theater — that special little slice of hell that’s reserved for live bloggers and other barely-presentable-in-public journalists. Good times!
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Think you know who’ll win this year? Cast your vote here, you could walk away with a movie lover’s prize pack!
Who Really Won The Super Bowl?
February 15, 2008
According the cash register, Tom Petty. After the game, Petty (who is also the voice of “Lucky” on King Of The Hill) topped the catalog chart for Billboard by steadily moving up, achieving a nearly 200% bump in sales. Both his “Greatest Hits” and his “Anthology” collection raked up huge sales on the digital side. More than a third of all Petty tracks were sold online. The song “Free Fallin’” which Petty performed at the halftime show on Super Bowl Sunday sold 63,000 copies via the web, 300% jump! Perhaps that’s why coach Belichick left the field early, he wanted to go download “Running Down A Dream.”
Season 7 American Idols — One For Every Hour Of The Day
February 15, 2008
Behold the newest crop that have been chosen to compete in the seventh season of American Idol!
Randy, Paula, and Simon have given their approval to these 24
contestants, but we want to know what you think. Are you an avid Idol watcher? Check out the list below and let us know who you’re voting for throughout the contest. Don’t forget, you can post YouTube videos along with your opinions! That includes recording your own video opinion — extra points if you sing it.
Ever wonder what happened to past American Idol winners? Read about Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, Carrie, Taylor, and Jordin at StarPulse.com’s “Where Are They Now?”
